The 10-day heat wave is history
It ended Friday.
But the odds are it will still be causing discomfort — but more of the economic kind — when San Joaquin County residents open their PG&E bills next month.
It is why Congressman Josh Harder — who is seeking election to the newly configured seat that includes almost of San Joaquin County except for Lathrop and areas south and east of Tracy — is calling for PG&E to suspend two-tiered pricing for electricity during heat waves.
His opponent — San Joaquin County Supervisor Tom Patti — agrees that such a move, if it could happen, makes sense for families suffering financial hits, but added it does nothing to offer real long-term relief.
And that relief, according to Patti, is to repeal aspects of the New Green Deal where government is forcing utilities such as PG&E to turn to green power such as wind or solar on a timeline that doesn’t take into account there is not adequate renewable power in place to meet existing demands.
Harder, who resides in Tracy, made his proposal in response to calls from his constituents reporting PG&E bills ranging from $500 to more than $700 per month, with huge rate increases coming as surprises to families trying to keep cool.
“When it’s 110 degrees outside, lives are on the line, but PG&E is forgetting to prioritize the health and safety of our community by sticking with this tiered pricing system,” Harder said. “While this system was put in place to help reduce energy usage, during an emergency heatwave, PG&E must suspend the tiered pricing system, so no family has to choose between staying alive or paying a bill. I can’t believe I have to say this, but charging folks $500 or more to stay cool is greedy, dangerous, and just plain wrong.”
The two-tier system was put in place by PG&E under guidance of the California Public Utilities Commission in a bid to reduce energy consumption during peak periods weekdays from 4 to 9 p.m. to avoid rolling blackouts.
The ideas is to incentivize power use outside the hours via a lower rate. On peak rates are higher.
The CPUC is a state agency of which Congress has no control over.
Patti made that point as he contended the New Green Deal embraced by Congress — as well as California’s own version — is the problem.
“Harder has zero understanding of cause and effect,” Patti said. “He’s got a complete disconnect to what the people of San Joaquin County are facing (with the government-mandated push for green power).”
The state triggered Flex Alerts during the heat wave to allow for the use of more electricity generated by fossil fuels as renewables were failing to meet the demand.
To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com
